Abia Pension Disagreement: NUJ Calls For A Review Of Disputed MoU

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ, has appealed to the State Government to revisit the contentious Memorandum of Understanding,  MoU, entered into with the Pensioners.

The appeal is coming on the heels of the unending disagreement between the State Government and the umbrella body of the retirees, the National Union of Pensioners, NUP, over the tenability or otherwise of the MoU.

The NUP leadership in the State has consistently accused the State Government of arm twisting and cajoling the State’s senior citizens into signing away over 60 % of their entitlement including gratuities.

A few months ago, the state Government, paid out a fraction of the over nine years pension arrears owed to the retired workers.

According to the State Government, the NUP leadership willingly signed to forfeit part of the accumulated pension.

However, the NUP leadership, has insisted that they were deceived and forced to sign a document they were not allowed  to first go through its contents.

The pensioners have, therefore, continued to demand for the payments of their remaining months of arrears, as well as gratuities and other statutory benefits that were denied them as a result of the MoU.

Rising from its monthly Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre in Umuahia on Friday, November 8, 2024,  the Abia NUJ, while thumbing up the state authorities for the restoration of full payments of pensions in the State urged a review of the case of the agitating pensioners.

In a 12 point communique signed by Chidi Asonye and Ikechukwu Onuegbu, Acting Chairman and Secretary respectively, the body also appealed to the Government to fast-track the processes towards paying other categories of retirees their severance allowances and other entitlements .

Only last week, about 30 retired Permanent Secretaries, as well as hordes of other senior civil servants, lamented that several months after their retirements ,they are yet to receive their benefits nor been captured in the monthly pension payment schedule.

The NUJ also decried the resurgence of criminal activities and  regime of insecurity in most urban centres of the state, particularly, Aba the Commercial hub and Umuahia, the state capital .

The body called on the State authorities to work in concert with security agencies to enhance the security architecture of the state, more so with the fast approaching Christmas festivities.

However, the NUJ, expressed happiness with the state Government’s decision to light up the World Bank Housing Estate in the capital, noting that the project has added tremendous value to the security arrangements in Umuahia.

The Union also appealed to the State Government to impress it on the Federal Government the urgent need to expedite reconstruction efforts on the strategic Umuahia/ Ikot Ekpene road.

Meanwhile, the NUJ has called on the Abia State Government to urgently consider some palliative measures on the road, to avert further loss of lives.